Newcastle Knights warned over Koukash

A former chief of Australian Rugby League has warned the Newcastle Knights to be cautious over rumoured interest in the club from Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash – insisting he should stump up a “non-refundable” cheque before the NRL entertain any discussion of investment.

The Knights recently cut their ties with Nathan Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group, and Quayle – who has been appointed by an ARL Commission to help the Knights through this period in their history, has issued a cautious warning over private ownership without the understanding of what it takes to run an NRL side. The Red Devils owner has gone on record on social media in saying he is interested in purchasing an NRL side in recent days.

“Here it is again, someone who puts his hand up,” Quayle said when told of Koukash’s supposed interest to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Tell him to go to the league [NRL] and give them a non-refundable cheque of $100 million. Then the league might talk to him.

“You can’t again be in a position of someone just being interested, that just doesn’t work at all. That’s the sad part about it, so many people want to be part of a sporting team. You have to understand the enormous cost in running a football team these days. We’re talking in excess of $20 million a year. It’s tough stuff and you need to make sure they are there long term, not short term.

“I certainly wouldn’t be [in favour] of talking to anyone until the structure is right.”

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